The Foundation

For years, health plans have acknowledged that housing instability plays a major role in poor health outcomes and increased costs. But despite pilot programs, partnerships, and SDOH initiatives, the reality on the ground hasn’t changed much for the people who need support the most. Most housing efforts fail not because plans don’t care but because […]

At Upside, we help members navigate the complex journey to housing stability. Using the Stages of Change Model, we meet members where they are and guide them step by step toward lasting progress. What is the Stages of Change Model? The Stages of Change framework helps us assess a member’s readiness for action and tailor […]

When someone is rebuilding their life after addiction, stable housing is more than a roof. It’s a reset button. For members in early recovery, traditional housing options often fall short. Some are too rigid. Some too loose. Others just aren’t built for the unique balance of autonomy and accountability that recovery demands. That’s where Oxford […]

One of the most common things we run into at Upside is someone turning down a shelter even though they’ve never actually been in one. On the surface, it looks irrational. But what’s happening underneath is a kind of distorted thinking: “If I go to a shelter, I’ll be unsafe,” or “That means I’ve failed.” […]

Natural disasters aren’t rare events anymore. Fires in California, hurricanes in Florida, flooding in the Northeast, and tornadoes in the Midwest—these disasters have become expected. They’re part of the seasonal cycle. What we’re seeing now is that they aren’t isolated to specific areas or single incidents. Disasters are everywhere, and they’re reshaping housing markets in […]

When people think of Medicaid, innovation isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind. Most assume it’s a challenging space—mired in bureaucracy, low reimbursement rates, and fragmented state-by-state programs. Historically, that assumption holds true. But things are changing. At Upside, we discover that beneath the surface lies a goldmine of opportunity—especially for tech-enabled startups […]

I talk to a lot of health plans. And the thing I keep hearing over and over is this: “We know housing matters. We know it drives better health outcomes.” So… what’s the holdup? Most plans know housing is the right move. But they still don’t move. And the reasons why are actually pretty consistent. […]

Housing as a health intervention is no longer a radical idea, it’s becoming table stakes. But in my experience working directly with health plans, what still is radical is executing on housing in a way that’s truly coordinated, scalable, and measurable. Too often, we’re still seeing housing strategies that are fragmented at best, piecemeal networks […]

For the past few years, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with health plans about implementing housing solutions. These conversations are usually a mix of excitement, curiosity, and- let’s be honest- a fair bit of hesitation. By now, everyone knows housing and health are connected. That’s not up for debate anymore. The challenge? Actually doing something […]

One of the most common things I hear from health plan leaders when we talk about housing is: “We’re waiting on more data before we move forward.” And I get it. It’s hard to make a case for something that doesn’t slot neatly into a cost-savings model. But the truth is: if you’re still treating […]